Music is in Brian Thomas’ blood

By Kiko Miyasato January 6, 2017

Music is in Brian Thomas’ blood. This is the 35th year that the production manager for Brooklyn Bowl at The Linq Promenade has been in the music industry in some capacity. “This is what I’ve been born and bred to do,” said the Alberta, Canada, native.

His love affair began in grade school, where he ran audio/video components and projectors. In the early ’90s he left Canada and moved to Nashville, Tenn., eventually landing a gig with Faith Hill. But where Thomas really got his feet wet working with music production was his first tour with B.B. King.

“B.B. taught me things that stuck with me throughout my life,” Thomas said. “He was my first big influence.” Other musicians that left their mark on him and his career include The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Reba McEntire. “But I have to say, the one person, the most talented person I ever met … is Ryan Adams,” he said. “Undoubtedly the most talented I’ve ever worked with. He’s incredibly prolific at writing.”

Thomas brought his decades of experience in all things musical production to Brooklyn Bowl in 2014. He oversees all technical aspects inside the building—sound, light and video—as well as managing the stagehands and working with each artist and crew that comes in to play a concert.

Photo: Nick Coletsos

“Finding the perfect working situation that you could lock into and love—doesn’t get to be a better situation than that.”

Stone Go To IPA

Beer is never far from reach when catching a concert inside Brooklyn Bowl. There are six full-service bars, each with a rotating selection of a dozen drafts and canned beers. The Stone Go To IPA is a fan favorite. It features ten different hops with a melon-flavor profile and a pleasant bitter finish. Other drafts include Brooklyn Lager, Magic Hat No. 9 and West Coast favorites like Ballast Point Sculpin IPA, Green Flash Imperial IPA and Rogue Dead Guy Ale.